QSIA hopes for better fishers' compo deal

The Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) has welcomed moves towards a new compensation deal for commercial fishers in Gladstone.

The chief executive of the Gladstone Ports Corporation, Leo Zussino, told a conference last week that a committee overseen by the Fisheries Department is working on a new compensation package to put to the industry.

The deal would compensate commercial fishers who have lost access to parts of the harbour because of developments.

Michael Gardner from the QSIA hopes the new deal is better than previous offers.

"It encompasses not just those fishermen who have lost access to a certain area but a recognition of the overall impacts inclusive of those shore-based businesses, some of whom disappeared, some have had to relocate, some have had to downsize significantly," he said.

"Agreement couldn't be reached, there were disagreements about the area of impact, the assessment of the impact of port development on the fishing industry and allied industries and also the allocation if you like of compensation to businesses that were impacted."